Cuba team announced for V World Baseball Classic

As explained by Armando Jhonson, mentor of the squad, the versatility of the players and other aspects such as speed over the bases and a good central defense were taken into account.

The group was made up of two catchers, eight infielders, six outfielders and fourteen pitchers, including 10 Cubans who play in professional leagues in the Caribbean or Major League Baseball (MLB), together with several who are members of clubs in the Japanese Professional League.

In the television program that transmitted the information about the final roster, the mentor from Pinar del Río Jhonson also announced another group of seven reserve players who will make the trip to Japan for the preparatory games.

Finally, the Cuban squad was made up of catchers Lorenzo Quintana and Andrys Pérez, along with infielders Ariel Martinez, Andy Ibáñez, Erisbel Arruebarruena, Luis Vicente Mateo, Yadir Drake, Yoan Moncada, Yadil Mujica and Dayan García.

As outfielders, Roel Santos, Luis Robert Moiran, Yoennis Céspedes, Alfredo Despaigne, Yoelkis Guibert and Yurisbel Gracial made the grade.

Pitchers chosen were Elian Leyva, Yoennis Yera, Livan Moinelo, Carlos Juan Viera, Raidel Martinez, Yariel Rodriguez, Frank Abel Alvarez, Naykel Cruz, Roennis Elias, Onelkis Garcia, Jose Ramon Rodriguez, Yeudis Reyes, Ronald Bolaños and Luis Miguel Romero.

The reserves are Pavel Quesada, Raico Santos, Lázaro Armenteros, Marlon Vega, Javier Mirabal, Franklin Quintana and Alexander Valiente.